Debenham Neighbourhood Plan

The Debenham Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) has been prepared by Debenham Parish Council and the local community and will be used to help guide and shape future development in the parish.

Formal Adoption (18 March 2019)

At its Full Council meeting on 18 March 2019, Mid Suffolk District Council resolved to 'make' (adopt) the Debenham NDP following a majority 'yes' vote in favour of doing so by local residents.

The Plan, which covers the period to 2036, now forms part of the development plan and is to be used to help determine planning applications on the parish unless material conditions indicate otherwise.

• Read the adopted Debenham NDP 2016 - 2036
• See the Adoption Statement

Supporting Evidence

The following documents provide supporting evidence to the adopted NDP:

• Debenham Site Assessment Report (AECOM, 2017)
• Landscape Character Baseline Report
• Local Green Space Appraisal (Nov 2017)
• Debenham Village - Flood Mapping Extension Project (JBA, Nov 2014)
• Housing Needs Survey Report (CAS, Nov 2014)
• the Debenham Conservation Area Appraisal (MSDC, 2009)

Previous Stages...

Reg 18 Local Referendum (7 Feb 2019) 

A local referendum on the Debenham NDP was held on 7 February 2019. The question asked of those entitled to vote was: 'Do you want Mid Suffolk to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Debenham to help it decide planning applications on the Neighbourhood Plan Area?'

• View the Referendum Result (a majority yes vote)

Reg 17 Independent Examination (Sept - Oct 2018)

The Debenham NDP was independently examined by Janet Cheesley BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI. Her final report, issued on 29 October 2018, recommended that, subject to modification, this NDP met the basic conditions and that it should proceed to a local referendum

• Read the Debenham NDP Final Exam Report (Oct 2018)
• See also Examination Correspondence and List of Reg 14 Consultees

Reg 16 Submission Consultation (2 July - 24 Aug 2018)

The submission draft Debenham NDP was made available for public consultation between 2 July and 24 August 2018. The Parish Council (the Qualifying Body) has formally submitted the following documents:

• A Map identifying the NDP Area
• The submission draft Debenham NDP (May 2018)
• A Consultation Statement
• A list of the Reg 14 Consultees (added in response to an examination query)
• A Basic Conditions Statement
• An SEA Scoping Report (AECOM, Mar 2018)
• An SEA Environmental Report (AECOM, Jun 2018)
• A number of other supporting documents (now published above with the adopted NDP)

An assessment on how this NDP met the basic condition tests formed part of the examination. At the time of submission, our initial checks suggested that the relevant requirements had been met. See our Reg 15 Checklist

Respondents were also reminded that their comments would be forwarded to the independent examiner and that, with the exception of personal contact details, they would be published on this webpage. The Parish Council were also given the opportunity to respond to any new issues raised at this stage:

• See the Reg 16 Consultation Responses (Note. This is a large file)
• See the Parish Councils Response, and the Proposal (Overview) Map and Proposal (Insert) Map referred to within.

SEA / HRA Screening & Determination (Mar 2018)

The pre-submission draft NDP was screened to determine whether a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and or a Habitats Assessment (HRA) were required. The need for an SEA report was 'screened in'. The need for an HRA was 'screened out'. The relevant reports and determination notices are published below:

• Debenham NP SEA & HRA Screening Report (v2) (Place Services, Jun 2018) - this updated report reflects the advice from Natural England but it does not alter the conclusions reached in the March 2018 Determination Notice
• Debenham NP SEA & HRA Screening Report (Place Services, Jan 2018) - the original report
• Debenham NP SEA Determination Notice (Mar 2018)
• Debenham NP HRA Determination Notice (Mar 2018)

Reg 14 Pre-submission Consultation (1 Feb - 16 Mar 2018)

Consultation by the parish council on their pre-submission draft NDP closed on 16 March 2018

Reg 05 Area Designation (3 Sept 2014)

• See the Area Designation documents.